Coat



Aug. 3l, 1948. c. H. MASLAND, 2ND 2,448,449

' coA'r Filed oct. s, 194e 2 sheets-sheet 1 www k 4 "bg INVENTOR C. H. MASLAND, 2ND

Aug. 31, 1948.

COAT

2 Sheets-Sheet' 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1946 INVENTOR Patented Aug. 3l, 1948 COAT Charles H. Masland, 2nd, Carlisle, Pa., assignor to C. H. Masland & Sons, Carlisle, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 3, 1946, Serial No. 700,953

7 Claims. (Cl. 2-94) My invention relates to coats and the like, particularly of the chara-cter employed for hunting, iishing and sportswear.

A purpose of my invention is to improve the means for Ventilating coats while preventing discomfort to the wearer through the introduction of rain or subjecting the wearer to the effects of a draft.

A further purpose is to provide ventilation of a coat or the like by chimney effect, and to utilize circulation produced by chimney elect to remove moisture from the body of the wearer.

A further purpose is to provide an opening, desirably screened, in the back of a coat below the collar, and preferably in the middle of the back, to extend a cape standing out from the back of the coat across the back and over the opening, closing the cape at the top and back, leaving an opening at the bottom in open position and closed in an alternate position at the bottom, aand obtaining ventilation through preferably screened ports at the upper portions of the sides of the cape.

A further purpose is to employ a cape of substantially greater fullness than the back of the coat in both horizontal and vertical directions and to insure bulging of the cape by stiffening applied preferably in the sides and desirably also in the bottom oi the back of the cape.

A further purpose is to construct a -cape of substantially rectangular form, permitting adequate cross section in a bottom vent, and cooperating ample cross section in end vents.

A further purpose is to permit ventilation ow through a cape from a bottom vent to an end vent, with pick up of moisture to be evaporated at openings in the back beneath the cape.

Further purposes appear in the specication and in the claims.

In the drawings I have chosen to illustrate one only of the numerous embodiments in which my invention may appear, choosing the form shown from the standpoint of convenience in illustration, satisfactory operation, and clear demonstration of the principles involved.

Figure l is a rear elevation of the improved coat of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a broken perspective of the cape of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section of Figure 2, on the line 3 3.

In the drawings like numerals refer to like parts.

Describing in illustration but not in limitation and referring to the drawings:

In the prior art it has been common particularly in raincoats and sportswear to provide Ventilating openings to assist in `evaporation of moisture from the body. Many of these constructions have been largely ineffectual because of the fact that openings were used with protections against introduction of rain or the like, but without any special means to induce circulation across the openings to maintain a flow of Ventilating air which could pick up moisture. 'Ihus in many instances the openings have been largely ineiective unless the user was exposed to a strong wind which could introduce circulating air into contact with the body to pick up the body moisture.

Many of the prior constructions involve introduction of numerous eyelets or the like and application of flaps under the arms and at other similar locations, presenting serious construction problems, causing discomfort to the wearer and frequently being comparatively ineffectual in operation.

In accordance with the present invention, the Ventilating cape is conveniently located at the back of the coat immediately adjacent the collar, making it possible to cover the necessary top seam by the collar and improve the appearance of the cape by extending it under the collar.

In the structure of the invention, no change whatever need be made in the seam of the sleeve or in the armpit construction, and the usual pleats to give added fullness adjacent the points of insetting of the sleeves are not impaired.

As shown in the drawings, a coat 20 embodying my invention has sleeves 2l, a ba-ck 22, a collar 23, suitably of roll construction, side pockets 24 and a back pocket 25. While in the embodiment shown, the coat is primarily intended for hunting and iishing service, it will be understood that any suitable type may be employed, and that the invention may be embodied in coats of other characters.

On the back of the coat, below the collar I mount a cape 26 suitably of substantially rectangular construction, as shown in Figure 1, having a top 21 stitched to the back of the coat at 28, suitably adjacent the shoulder and beneath the collar, and having a back portion 29 extending desirably about half way to the waist, ending in a bottom edge 30. Sides are provided at 3l adjacent the sides of the coat, but suitably slightly inside the line of the sleeves to permit the inclusion of side pleats 32 adjoining the sleeve line as well known in the art.

Below the collar and preferably in the center ci the shoulder portion of the back of the coat,

tic insect screen or screen cloth, suitably stitched` to the back of the coat at 36. The insect screen 3'5 performs several functions.

In the .first place i it prevents the introduction of finsectsand'thef like through the Ventilating opening. 33,.so rthat the Ventilating opening cannot become a source of discomfort. 35 is desirably of a stiffness approximating'that In the second'placc, the screenv of the fabric of the back of the coat so that' bulging or forming of the coat to the contour of the figure ofthe wearer is accomplished uniformly across the back, including the space ofthe ventilatingy opening, without irregular transmission of pull,l and without the nonuniform hanging of the coat-whi-chr-would otherwise result in many cases.

Furthermore, the'screen 35 distributes more uniformly-load applied to the fabric, as for example-'when the -coat is caught or snagged on a limb of a tree or in briers, preventing the tendencyiwhich otherwise occurs to tear at points of stressconcentration adjoining the corners of the ventilation opening and the like.

The cape 26 extends entirely over the ventilation opening, anddesirably for a short distance below the lower ends thereof, so as to prevent the likelihood of intrusion of water or mud into the ventilation openingffrom the bottom of the cape.

As viewed `invertical section seen at the center of Figure 2, the' top 21 of the cape bulges out from the back 2U of the coat diagonally beneath the collar (and as seen in Figure l on either side of the collar) until an outer corner 31 is reached, at which pointtheiback 29 ofthe cape, standing well out from the back` of the coat so asto provide an air chamber sbeneath the cape and over the Ventilating opening 3-3, extends down along the back portion 29 substantially parallel to the back of the coat.V Along the bottom edge of the back of the coat I suitably provide a stiffening rib 39 comprising one or more layers :of fabric, which tends to makethe back of the cape hang straight and, in open position, hang well away from the back of the coat to provide a bottom port 40ffully across the cape and` between the cape and the back of the'coat' as shown in-Figures 2 and 3.

When thecape is permitted to be open, this bottom port 40 is of the full length of the cape from side to'side of thecoat, and has a width corresponding-to the distance which the back 29 =of the cape stands out from the back 2!) of the coat as seen in Figures 2 and 3, and as controlled by the dimensions ofthe sides 3 I.

When it is 'desired to close the bottom port, this can be accomplished by buttoning buttons 412 onthe back of the coat through button holes 43 at-the lower edge of the back of the cape, pullingthe bottom of the cape in close against the backy ofthe-coat, and partially collapsingthe fabric-in the/sides 31' to prevent Ventilation through" th'elventilatingopening 33. The closing ofthe'bo'ttomf port 40 is likely to be desirable in cold weather Vor in extreme wind, but is not ordinarily necessary in ca'seof rain.

Onl the upper portionA ofV each side 3| of the cape, desirably extending from some point 44 part way up each side to the top of the side, the side panel '45 is interrupted to provide a side port 46 at each side of the coat. The side port 46 coopcrates with the bottom port 40 for ventilation purposes when the bottom port 40 is open. The side port 46 is suitably covered throughout its length by la screen 41 preferably of nylon or plastic insect or'fly. screen as used on thescreen 35. The screen 41 is stitched to the back of the coat 'at48 and to the back of the cape at 49, and suitably stitched at its top and bottom at 5U (only the bottom being shown). The stifening 39 on theibackgof the cape is desirably carried over the side panelrll at the 4bottom at 5l, and inside the sidefpan'el'gaandsuitably extending to the bottornof the side Ventilating opening, I provide a stiiening 'panel52, which assures that, when permitted by loosening the buttons 42, the side panel will stand out well away from the back of thecoat` and'willtend toY bulge the entire cape away' from thev back of the coat, causing the backn of the cape to clear adequately from thev back of.

the coat.

This .bulging action of thecape is assured not only'blythe presence. of the stiffening'at 39, 5I,.

52,-.extending across. thelowerperimeter of the cape to its point of joining the back of the coat of material in horizontal section across the cape is substantially greater than the. length of materialin horizontal section acrossthe back of the coat',f.andthe.length of material in vertical section down-the cape issubstantially greater than the length of. material in vertical. section to a correspondingpoint down the back of the coat.

Itvwill be evident of! course, that the coat may be provided with the usual accessories, such as a loopk 53.at.the back oflthe cape below the collar, for hanging-up of the garment.

In operation, with the buttons 42 unbuttoned andthe bottom port 4U open, the rectangular. air chamber 38. extending verticallyinside the cape from top to bottom and from side to side will permit circulation `vertically and to the sides -as indicated by an. arrow` 54' at the` bottom showing introduction ofoutside air into the port 40, with flow of air at .55 yinside thecape, over. theventilating opening 33, and-.to the side at 58 and finally out throughY the side port 41 as shown by thev arrow 51. Similar ventilation willoocur at the other side of the coat to theothery side port (not shown).

The ventilation shown is encouraged due to chimney effect, since the warm air. as it becomes heated by contact with the body through the Ventilating opening. 33-will tendto rise and flow out the side ports.

An impor-tant feature of the invention is that advantage istaken of the normal circulation of war-m airrising from below through the bottom port 40 and flowing out above-and at the sides through the side ports 4%. Thisflow of outside air then picks up moisture from the body through the Ventilating openings 33 'and provides comfort to the wearer.

The important correlation between the bottom port 4i! and the side ports 4E will be quite evident'- when itI is understood that closure of the bottom port 4!! by butto-ning of the buttons 42 effectively renders the side ports inoperative, so that even without collapsing of the cape against the back and partial closing ofthes'icle ports due to crimping of the netting 41' aty 58, no appreciable cooling or ventilation through the Ventilating opening 33 will occur with the bottom port closed.l The wearer is therefore quite comfortable in c'old weather with the bottom port closed notwithstanding that the side ports remain open.

The rectangular form of the cape permits Very large cross section of the bottom port 40 and adequate cross section of the side ports 46, so as to assure proper ventilation from the Ventilating opening. The Ventilating opening preferably is not carried fully across to the side of the coat, leaving a portion of the back of the coat at 59 immediately inside of each of the side ports which is unbroken, and can permit drainage, down along the back of the coat and out the Vbottom port 40, of water which may be brought in through the side ports 46, from rain, splashing or the like. While this drainage space is desirable, this feature has been improved by an invention of Harry M. Hutchinson, forming the subject 'matter of a copending application, Serial No. 700,114, filed September 28, 1946 for Hunting and fishing garment.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual `whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore, claim al1 such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A coat having a collar and a back below the collar in which an opening is provided, a cape of substantially rectangular form having sides and extending substantially across the back below the collar and over the opening, closed at the top and back and having an opening across the bottom and openings in the upper ends of the sides -and stifiening in the sides adapted to bulge the cape away from the back of the coat.

2. A coat having a collar and a back provided with an opening adjacent the center below the collar, a cape having sides 'and extending across the back below the collar and over the opening, closed at the top and back and open at the bottom and sides, means for stiffening the sides to bulge the c'ape away from the back and means for stiifening the lower edge of the cape at the back.

3. A coat having a collar and an opening in the back below the collar, a screen in the opening, and a cape having sides and extending across the back below the collar and over the opening, closed at the top and back and open across the bottom and at the up-per portions of the sides, screens in the opening in the sides and Imeans for bulging the c'ape away from the back.

4. A coat having a collar and back, there being a ventilation opening in the back below the collar and toward the center with respect to the shoulders, a cape extending over the opening below the collar and having a back portion which is generally in conformity with but well spaced from the back of the coat and side portions which are transverse to the back portion of the cape and extend directly out from the back of the coat. the cape having side ports in the sides adjoining the tops of the sides of the cape and a bottom port in open position extending across the bottom whereby air circulation can be provided up through the bottom port and out the side ports.

5. A coat having a collar and back, there being a ventilation opening in the back below the collar and toward the center with respect to the shoulders, a cape extending over the opening below the collar and having a back portion which is generally in conformity with but well spaced from the back of the coat and side portions which are transverse to the back portion of the cape and extend directly out from the back of the coat, the rcape having side ports in the sides adjoining the tops of the sides of the cape and a bottom Vport in open position extending across the bottom,

whereby air circulation can be provided up through the bottom port and out the side ports, and stiffening ribs in the sides which tend to maintain the back of the cape bulged away from the back of the coat and the side ports wide open.

6. A coat having a collar and back, there being a Ventilation opening in the back below the co1- lar and toward the center with respect to the shoulders, a cape extending over the opening below the collar and having a back portion which is generally in conformity with but well spaced from the back of the coat and side portions which are transverse to the back portion of the cape and extend directly out from the back of the coat, the cape having side ports in the sides adjoining the tops of the sides of the cape and a bottom port in open position extending across the bottom whereby air circulation can be provided up through the bottom port and out the side ports, a .screen secured to the edges and covering the Ventilating opening, screens secured to the edges and covering the side ports and stifening ribs in the sides of the cape for bulging the cape away from the back, the stiifening ribs being located adjacent the lower edges of the cape at the back.

'7. A coat having a collar and a back, there being a Ventilating opening in the back below the collar and toward the center with respect to the shoulders, a cape extending over the opening below the collar and having a back portion which is generally in conformity with but well spaced from the back of the coat and side portions which are transverse to the back portion of the cape and extend directly out from the back of the coat, the cape having side ports in the sides adjoining the tops of the sides of the cape and a bottom port in open position extending across the bottom, whereby air circulation can be provided up through the bottom port and out the side ports, the back of the coat inside the side ports being unbroken for a substantial distance at either side toward the Ventilating opening in order that moisture coming in through the side ports may ow down over the unbroken portion of the back of the coat and out the bottom port, and stillening ribs in the sides of the cape to bulge the cape away from the back of the coat.

CHARLES H. MASLAND, 2ND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 375,504 Norton Dec. 27, 1887 1,368,835 Place Feb. 15, 1921 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 502 Great Britain Feb. 5, 1881 21,437 Great Britain Nov. 12, 1895 

